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Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.

The return of Itachi

I am Sasuke. Why should I defect from Konoha.

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***

After Game 2 on April 22, 2002, the Pacers players entered a state of post-game silence.

Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose still couldn’t shoulder the offensive burden, and Jermaine O’Neal’s efficiency was also declining.

Although the Knicks’ shooting was poor, their perimeter Defense was reliable.

With two small forwards and a combo guard, Coach Isiah Thomas’s game strategy gradually collapsed in the second half.

After the game, Isiah Thomas resumed his usual kind smile, completely different from his image of angrily scolding players during the game:

“We tried many defensive methods, but Lee could still make shots.”

“This is why we lost. We lost to a superstar who is entering his prime. Many times, basketball games are that simple.”

Coach Isiah Thomas didn’t mention tactics or Defense at all when interviewed.

As a Head Coach who was once a top guard, it was often difficult for him to understand the choices his players made on the court.

Ultimately, games are decided by the players, and Isiah Thomas seemed to be experiencing the ‘pain’ of being a Head Coach.

New York fans were very happy.

Their old rivals’ misfortune provided endless entertainment, and the New York Media was also pleased.

However, after the game, they didn’t forget to ‘criticize’ Ron Artest.

During the regular season, Ron Artest was affected by some fouls and injuries, playing in 73 games this season.

He averaged 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.4 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 2.1 turnovers per game.

His field goal percentage was 42.8%, three-point percentage was 31.4%, and free throw percentage was 68.8%.

In the playoffs, Ron Artest’s stats declined further in these two games.

At the beginning of the season, he frequently gave interviews, but as TNT began to mock Ron Artest’s shooting, he immediately buried his head in the sand whenever his performance was poor.

At the press conference, no one among the media discussed Lee’s 38 points.

Most reporters were pressing Ron Artest about why his performance was so bad.

A Los Angeles Times reporter seemed to want to imply that Lee ‘wasted teammates.’

After some polite exchanges, he suddenly asked:

“Clay, I noticed that the Knicks’ bench unit has performed poorly in the playoffs, and among the starters, Ron Artest hasn’t been able to replicate his regular season numbers.”

“Is this related to your offensive choices?”

In Game 2, Clay Lee didn’t hold back, shooting 6-for-13 from beyond the arc, with his attempts increasing again.

A ‘soft’ playstyle naturally invites controversy, especially since Lee was no longer the physically thin player he was in his Rookie season, and sports media naturally demanded more.

Breaking his own three-point record, but over 700 three-point attempts still brought Lee considerable trouble:

“This is our first year as a team, and I am very satisfied with our 61 wins.”

“The Knicks need time, and the new players who joined the team also need time. As for my offensive choices, I don’t think there’s any problem.”

“I understand my weaknesses. After all, I’m a guard and don’t have the wingspan or physique of a forward, so in games, I won’t force shots against Defense.”

“My goal is to put the ball in the basket. Three-pointers, fast breaks, and finishes at the rim are all means to achieve that goal. This season, I think I’ve performed quite well.”

“As for Ron, he works very hard. When evaluating a player, I prefer to look at large data samples. Ron is definitely a qualified forward, and he will find his shooting touch again.”

Although he had answered such questions many times, Lee on the stage remained very patient.

With victories as a backing, most sports media didn’t find it easy to question him too much.

Nitpicking easily causes fan resentment.

Grant Hill, who was also at the press conference, noticed the expressions of some sports media and felt it was time to add a simple supplement:

“If most teams didn’t choose to double-team Lee, perhaps we would see a different performance.”

“Watching a game isn’t just about one-on-one. Lee did the right thing!”

After this season began, Eastern Conference teams intensified their double-teaming of Lee, making pick-and-roll ball-handling increasingly difficult.

In such circumstances, more off-ball movement was actually a forced offensive choice.

On April 23rd, the big drama between Allen Iverson and Larry Brown continued.

With the sports media adding fuel to the fire, Allen Iverson found it hard to defend himself.

Although Larry Brown rephrased his comments, by then, no one cared what the master and apprentice said.

In the morning, the NBA announced this season’s Most Improved Player (MIP):

Jermaine O’Neal of the Pacers successfully won the award.

With the team trailing 0-2 in the series and preparing to return home, Jermaine O’Neal didn’t show much excitement upon hearing the news of his award.

This season, Jermaine O’Neal averaged 19.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 2.4 turnovers.

His improvement was significant, but the Pacers’ record was somewhat disappointing.

Some sports media believed Ben Wallace also deserved the award.

However, such debates no longer attracted the Pacers players.

With three days of rest, everyone just hoped to win a game for the fans at home.

That night, the Utah Jazz completed a comeback, securing a road victory.

Whenever someone thought the old men were done, the Utah Jazz’s veteran duo would step up and prove them wrong.

93:86.

The league-leading Sacramento Kings shot 3-for-22 from beyond the arc, a dismal 13.6% three-point percentage, and a field goal percentage under 35% for the entire game. Their performance was utterly terrible.

In another game, the Orlando Magic defeated the Celtics again, bringing the series score to 2-0!

After winning two consecutive road games, Tracy McGrady was all smiles.

When interviewed, he confidently stated:

“Yes, we’re in great shape. The next game will be back in Orlando, and I think we can start preparing for the next round!”

“.”

Tracy McGrady scored 31 points on 11-for-23 shooting, and Allan Houston also had 26 points.

Role players performed well too.

The Orlando Magic were a complete team effort!

Head Coach Rivers was equally thrilled.

Breaking through the first round in his coaching career would be a milestone for him.

No one doubted his choices anymore.

The Orlando Magic made the right trade in the offseason!

Despite the significant lead, Allan Houston’s knee felt a bit uncomfortable after this game.

He was quite low-key during his interview, simply responding calmly:

“Anything is possible in basketball. We need to maintain this state!”

The Knicks were preparing to fly to Indiana.

With a match point in hand, they naturally wanted to end the series as soon as possible.

Coach Tom Thibodeau was no longer nervous.

Having been with the team for so many years, Lee never wasted opportunities.

The Knicks had transformed from a team with multiple rotations and a jump-shooting focus to one that relied heavily on starters, prioritized Defense, and favored fast breaks.

This change didn’t reduce the team’s average points per game, but turnovers became uncontrollable.

Assistant Coach Don Chaney naturally understood the team’s changes, but with too few scorers on the bench and two starting forwards lacking three-point shooting, the current playstyle was already the optimal solution.

On the plane, the coaching staff gossiped about Jeff Van Gundy’s recent life.

Bald Young Coach was very carefree, frequently appearing in the commentary booth.

When commentating on games, Jeff Van Gundy could always incisively point out the shortcomings of both teams.

He effortlessly discussed tactics and player characteristics, presenting himself as a super Champion Coach.

What the coaching staff didn’t expect was that through his performance in the commentary booth, Jeff Van Gundy’s prestige had risen even further.

Many sports commentators were already looking forward to Bald Young Coach coaching a team again.

“Jeff will certainly not be short of work. When he coaches a team again, he should be able to gain more authority, at least he can bring in players he likes.”

After Assistant Coach Don Chaney said this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Jeff Van Gundy wasn’t necessarily fixated on Charlie Ward.

He just wanted to receive the respect a Champion Coach deserved.

Unfortunately, within the Knicks, both General Manager Grunfeld and Clay Lee didn’t care about Bald Young Coach’s feelings.

The former clung to his power, while the latter simply couldn’t be bothered with the matter.

With their combined efforts, Jeff Van Gundy could only be a ‘decoration.’

The Knicks’ second ‘decoration’ coach, Tom Thibodeau, had already experienced Van Gundy’s feelings.

With April almost over, no one had discussed the draft with him.

As Head Coach, Tom Thibodeau had no say in which players the team wanted to invite for tryouts, or rather, no one even considered his opinion.

Hearing the low murmurs, Tom Thibodeau rubbed his face.

In fact, he was more nervous than the players, having been working overtime recently, and dark circles had appeared under his eyes:

“I hope Jeff is doing well, but we need to focus on the game right now. Perhaps we’ll face the Orlando Magic in the next round.”

The coaching staff also stopped gossiping; while the Head Coach position was good, the management clearly had no intention of promoting internally.

James Dolan had been quiet for years but recently began frequently expressing his “Show time” views in the media.

Assistant Coach Don Chaney and Temporary Head Coach Tom Thibodeau exchanged glances, having prepared for the worst:

“If all else fails, we can still go back to Van Gundy, family is everything!”

“.”

On the evening of April 24, Corliss Williamson of the Detroit Pistons lifted the Sixth Man of the Year trophy, witnessed by the home fans.

Adding to that, Rick Carlisle, the Head Coach, had recently won Coach of the Year (COY).

This year, the Detroit Pistons swept most of the awards, and the team had truly risen again.

In that night’s game, the Detroit Pistons gave the Hornets no chance, winning 96-88 and easily securing the match point!

Ben Wallace put up an all-around stat line of 7 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks, including 5 offensive rebounds, a performance that naturally received unanimous praise from commentators.

On the morning of April 25, several Detroit newspapers highly praised the Detroit Pistons’ performance this season.

The Detroit Free Press, as one of America’s oldest newspapers, had reporters covering NBA news who didn’t forget to find a hot topic, questioning Clay Lee:

“If Ben continued to play in New York, and continued to be teammates with Lee, he would never achieve such honors and stats!”

“The New York Knicks have become Lee’s toy. Look at him, besides shooting three-pointers, he is no longer that young man who played hard.”

This view has recently gained approval from many “losers,” and coupled with Allan Houston and Grant Hill both being drafted by the Detroit Pistons, Detroit is full of sour grapes.

That day happened to be Thursday, and TNT’s program also invited Jeff Van Gundy.

The trio didn’t discuss the Allen Iverson, Larry Brown, and media reporter feuds this time.

Too many complaints, and the production team couldn’t handle it anymore.

In the studio, the four were still discussing last night’s Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks game.

122-110, Kevin Garnett exploded for 31 points and 18 rebounds, and Dirk Nowitzki had 31 points and 15 rebounds.

This crazy offensive battle was indeed spectacular.

“The rule changes have little impact on good shooters.”

“Dirk Nowitzki’s play style is similar to Clay Lee’s, taking many three-pointers. In most games, the Dallas Mavericks will be dominant, but they are still some distance from a championship.”

Jeff Van Gundy was still wearing a black suit, white shirt, and red tie, his eyes sharp, his head gleaming, offering his views and even leaning back tactically.

Charles Barkley then agreed and added:

“I agree with Jeff’s point. You can’t win a championship by relying solely on jump shots. The Dallas Mavericks haven’t shown championship-level Defense.”

Kenny Smith also agreed with this view.

During the New York Knicks’ four-championship run, their worst defensive performance was still top 10 in the NBA.

However, when discussing offensive choices, Kenny Smith also jumped on the bandwagon:

“Jeff, can the New York Knicks win the championship this season? Lee’s stats are even better than last season!”

Speaking of his old team, Jeff Van Gundy generously commented:

“Difficult! As a rebuilding team, the New York Knicks have many flaws. The bench lacks scorers, and the starting lineup relies too heavily on transition offense.”

“The New York Knicks are no longer special. Although this team can still score an average of 104.2 points per game this season, most of the scoring comes from the starting lineup.”

“Their average scoring is only second to the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings, but basketball is not just about offense. Defense is the key to winning championships.”

“The New York Knicks average 16.2 turnovers per game, indicating they are still in a state of adjustment, ranking 4th in turnovers among 29 teams.”

“This season, the Sacramento Kings, Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs have a greater chance of winning the championship.”

Ernie Johnson looked at the eloquent Bald Young Coach and added fuel to the fire, asking:

“Jeff, how do you think the New York Knicks should adjust to lift the o’brien cup again?”

“Pau Gasol is very talented, but for a championship, he should increase his physicality. The best way is to gain weight.”

“With these two forwards having shooting deficiencies, offensive space is compressed. In the playoffs, the New York Knicks should also slow down and increase their half-court offense.”

“Lee can take on more responsibility. He is strong. Increasing low-post play and reducing some long-range shots will also reduce long rebounds.”

“At the same time, they must reduce turnovers so that opponents don’t get too many easy scoring opportunities.”

“Games are not highlight reels. Playing beautifully only pleases the New York fans. Everyone needs to make sacrifices, and the bench still needs to add some scorers.”

Jeff Van Gundy didn’t care about the trio’s gazes and offered a plethora of opinions.

Charles Barkley naturally heard the Bald Young Coach’s dissatisfaction with Lee and the management, and after exchanging glances with his two partners, his smile grew even brighter.

Taking over the conversation again, Charles Barkley cheerfully continued:

“Let’s re-analyze Lee’s offensive choices. Everyone wants to hear Jeff’s thoughts!”

“.”

After this episode aired, TNT gave the New York Knicks the nickname “Highlight Reel Team.”

A Highlight Reel Team naturally consists of Highlight Reel players.

ESPN really likes to show the New York Knicks’ highlight reels, and this view also gained approval from casual New York fans.

On April 26, the NBA announced this season’s Executive of the Year:

Rodney Thorn of the Nets won this award.

After a 360-degree turnaround, the Nets went from being a bottom-feeder to second in the Eastern Conference.

Such a change naturally stemmed from trading for Kidd, and the award was well-deserved.

There was only one game that day, and the Pacers were fully preparing, so no one was in the mood for interviews.

The New York Knicks, on the other hand, accepted all comers.

Clay Lee and Grant Hill always got along well with sports reporters.

The game tipped off at 8:30 PM, and even before it started, over eighteen thousand New York fans at Conseco Fieldhouse booed Lee as he warmed up.

Stephen Jackson, as an atmosphere creator, kept passing the ball to Lee, and watching the three-pointers go farther and farther, he subconsciously opened his mouth wide.

Seeing Lee maintain a normal jump shot form from the Logo, with the basketball continuously falling into the hoop, the Pacers fans’ hearts instantly sank.

Lee, having finished his three-point warm-up, dribbled the ball and began to remind his teammates:

“Jermaine O’Neal’s shooting percentage from 3 to 10 feet is less than 40%, Pau, don’t forget this. Pay attention to controlling your defensive position.”

Pau Gasol nodded repeatedly, while Ron Artest subconsciously moved away from Lee:

“Ron, keep shooting. It’s impossible to go 0-for-12 tonight. As long as we win, no one cares about your performance. Not shooting when open really affects the offensive rhythm!”

Seemingly lacking much confidence in his own shooting, Ron Artest was unable to retort and could only nod gloomily.

Kurt Thomas, on the other hand, was full of energy.

As a contract-year player, he didn’t need encouragement at all and played with the most effort.

Coach Tom Thibodeau was pulling Grant Hill aside for a quick word.

The unfriendly atmosphere at the venue made the Rookie coach a bit nervous.

Once the game officially began, Lee once again received special treatment, being booed every time he touched the ball.

For the Pacers fans, the New York Knicks had caused them immense “damage” over the past few years.

The hoarse cheers and shouts did not bring good luck to the players on the court.

Reggie Miller, who was heavily guarded, continued to clank shots.

At 8 minutes and 17 seconds into the 1st quarter, the big man Miller successfully tipped in an offensive rebound in the paint, then immediately passed the ball to Jalen Rose beyond the three-point line.

Ron Artest hadn’t even had time to close out, or perhaps he just caught and shot!

“Clank!”

The basketball hit the front rim and flew directly to the right block.

Lee anticipated the landing spot, grabbed the rebound immediately, then quickly dribbled the ball, accelerating along the left sideline.

Jamal Tinsley crashed into him fiercely.

Their bodies collided, and Lee, holding the ball with his left hand, continued to dribble forward.

Although he went out of bounds, the ball was still in play.

Slightly pausing, Lee pushed off with his feet and accelerated again.

Jamal Tinsley followed him out of bounds.

By the time he wanted to chase back on Defense, he found himself two steps behind.

The referee hesitated but didn’t blow the whistle.

Clay Lee rushed back onto the court, grabbed the ball with his right hand again, and charged forward.

“Boo!”

Amidst the boos from the entire crowd, Jermaine O’Neal immediately retreated to the basket, constantly adjusting his defensive Center of Gravity, staring intently at the rapidly cutting Lee.

As he approached the Defense, Lee slightly slowed down.

While gathering the ball, he took a big step forward and to the right with his right foot.

Jermaine O’Neal subconsciously adjusted his defensive Center of Gravity, then only saw a blur as Lee suddenly changed direction.

Lee’s wide European step completely shook off the Defense.

Amidst gasps, he arrived at the lower left of the basket, grabbed the ball with his left hand, and scored with a successful bank shot!

10-0.

After landing, Lee shook his head slightly, and while retreating on Defense, he held his right hand to his ear, making a listening gesture.

The boos that echoed throughout the arena brought Jermaine O’Neal under the basket back to his senses.

He turned his head and saw Coach Isiah Thomas yelling “Fuck” from the sidelines, and he dejectedly returned to the baseline to prepare for the inbound pass.

Nearly 4 minutes without a single point, some of the boos were also directed at the Pacers players on the court.

Reggie Miller pursed his lips, clapping his hands continuously, trying to inspire his teammates.

Using the same curl cut play, Reggie Miller used Jermaine O’Neal’s screen in the left elbow area, and after receiving the ball, he immediately put the ball down with his right hand and drove straight to the basket from the middle.

Lee, who was chasing him, lost half a step but began to adjust his stride in advance.

Near the baseline on the right side, Pau Gasol noticed that Lee had caught up, so he didn’t move to help defend, continuing to guard in front of the big man Miller.

Seemingly wanting to vent his frustration, Reggie Miller, after a three-step drive, grabbed the ball with his right hand, intending to go for a one-handed slam dunk.

While still exerting force in the air, Reggie Miller felt a powerful force from his side.

Clay Lee leaped high, arriving first despite starting later, and directly pressed his left hand on the ball, completing the block while also knocking the old man out of bounds.

“Whoa!”

Seeing Reggie Miller fall into the camera, the fans gasped.

Before the referee could blow his whistle, Jalen Rose wanted to stand up for his boss, charging aggressively towards the basket.

As soon as he reached the paint, he was stumbled by Ron Artest:

“Motherfucker! Where do you think you’re going?!”

As soon as the referee blew the whistle, the two tore into each other.

Ron Artest, who had been misfiring frequently in these two games, had been unhappy.

Finding an outlet for his frustration, he wanted to throw a couple of punches at his opponent.

Reggie Miller, who had just gotten up from the floor, also rushed forward, but was immediately embraced by a nearby sideline referee.

In the end, it was the big man Miller who pulled his teammate into his arms, and only after the referee blew his whistle repeatedly did the two separate.

Both sides were called for a foul, and such a ruling again angered the Pacers fans present:

“Referee Sucks!”

The Pacers fans started cursing the referee.

At this moment, Lee clapped his hands as he walked towards the opponent’s half to prepare for the free throw:

“Buddy, take a rest next game! I’ve prepared 6 fouls tonight.”

This fall was naturally not light.

The Pacers’ movements were very aggressive tonight, and Reggie Miller also knew that the New York Knicks were going to be ruthless.

Standing at the free throw line, he retorted:

“Boy, I’ve been through more confrontations than the games in your professional career!”

“.”

When comparing career lengths, Reggie Miller indeed had the advantage.

The referee noticed that the two still wanted to “butt heads,” so he simply pulled Lee away.

With free throws helping the team break the deadlock, Reggie Miller’s tough performance kept the Pacers fans cheering.

At the NBC commentary table, Mike Dunleavy seemed to be hinting at something, simply commenting:

“In the regular season, the Pacers allowed an average of 96.5 points per game, ranking 19th in the NBA.”

“Such Defense makes it difficult to limit the New York Knicks’ offense. Even if they intensify the confrontation tonight, Clay Lee will not be affected much.”

Perceiving that his partner seemed to be implying that Coach Isiah Thomas had failed to build a defensive system, Bob Costas began to change the subject, saying:

“This level of game intensity seems more suitable for the New York Knicks. Grant Hill scored 6 consecutive points after the opening.”

“Coach Tom seems to have anticipated the opponent’s defensive choices, and they are ready!”

With his teammates frequently misfiring, Reggie Miller tried to take over the offense, but every time he broke to the basket, he couldn’t finish.

Lee liked to engage in physical confrontation with opponents on drives, Ron Artest preferred to defend on catch, and Grant Hill used his height and wingspan to defend.

When the opponent’s offense became simple and crude, constantly giving the ball to Reggie Miller, the Pacers fell into another scoring drought.

Approaching the 24-second mark, Jermaine O’Neal received the ball in the paint directly in front of the rim.

He intended to push further towards the basket, but Kurt Thomas suddenly delivered a fierce double-team.

Unable to pass the ball immediately and with the shot clock winding down, Jermaine O’Neal, relying on Pau Gasol and splitting the two defenders, threw up a floater!

“Bang!”

Grant Hill quickly retreated to the basket, grabbing the rebound on the lower left side of the rim, then accelerated again.

With a large body-front crossover, Grant Hill quickly scooped the ball with his right hand and continuously accelerated along the right sideline.

Before crossing half-court, he immediately flung the ball to Lee, who was approaching the right wing.

Although Jamal Tinsley retreated on Defense in time, seeing Lee holding the ball with his left hand and sliding to the right while suddenly lowering his center of gravity, he instinctively slid to the left.

With a quick in-and-out dribble while on the move, Lee shook off his defender and immediately accelerated into the paint.

He cradled the ball with his left hand, bumped past the chasing Jamal Tinsley, and after a three-step drive, quickly scored with a finger roll.

“Boo!”

Noticing the Rookie Jamal Tinsley being knocked out of bounds, the Pacers fans booed even louder.

The chaotic game completely enraged the audience.

19-7. With 4 minutes and 31 seconds left in the 1st quarter, the deficit had not been narrowed, but instead had been widened again.

Coach Isiah Thomas seemed very dissatisfied with the officiating, constantly complaining to the referees.

Soon, the Pacers made up for it with a few free throws.

Pau Gasol picked up his 2nd personal foul, and Thibodeau on the sidelines was also unhappy, chasing the referee to complain, almost getting a technical foul.

With Pau Gasol off the court and the big man Knight on, the New York Knicks’ Defense seemed even better.

The big man Miller fought for an offensive rebound under the basket, and when he tried to lay it in, Knight delivered a huge block right in his face.

Kurt Thomas held the basketball tightly in the paint.

The Pacers players couldn’t get the steal back and started scrambling to retreat on Defense.

It was another fast break by Grant Hill.

As he crossed the half-court line, Reggie Miller lost half a step.

Jalen Rose, who had retreated to the right wing, instinctively moved, and Grant Hill immediately flung the ball to Ron Artest, who was open.

At the moment of receiving the ball, Jalen Rose didn’t close out in time.

Ron Artest made a slight adjustment and shot a transition three-pointer!

“Swish!”

The three-pointer went through the net without touching the rim!

22-7. Ron Artest, who had suddenly found his shooting touch, first glared at his matchup Jalen Rose, then roared and pounded his chest.

On the New York Knicks’ bench, the atmosphere group also burst into cheers.

Stephen Jackson frantically waved his towel to cheer on his good brother, but secretly complained:

“He’s actually more accurate under high confrontation?”

Misfires, counterattacks, the entire first quarter had only one rhythm: Clay Lee and Grant Hill just charged ahead.

It wasn’t until the end of the 1st quarter that Reggie Miller found his touch from beyond the arc, hitting a three-pointer.

As Lee’s ultra-long three-pointer from before half-court hit the front rim, the Pacers fans gasped again, and then the arena suddenly fell silent.

29-13.

Looking at the 16-point deficit, everyone realized they were about to be swept out.

After continuous back-and-forth running and a lot of physical confrontation, Reggie Miller was panting heavily back on the bench.

He refused his Head Coach’s request to substitute him out, but the cost was lying on the floor a few more times.

No one would doubt Reggie Miller’s competitive spirit, but the “spiritual victory method” had no effect on the New York Knicks.

The two commentators could see a clear contrast.

Clay Lee seemed to be enjoying the game, smiling as he rehydrated, and Grant Hill showed no signs of fatigue, still listening carefully to the coaching staff’s instructions.

“My respects to Miller, he is a true fighter!”

“Regardless of the outcome, I think this is a wonderful game!”

Bob Costas no longer offered too many comments.

With such a point difference, it was difficult for the New York Knicks to lose.

Reggie Miller, who shot 2-for-7 from the field, 1-for-3 from three-point range, and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line, scoring 8 points in the first quarter, had already given his best.

Mike Dunleavy had long known the gap between the two sides.

Even if some pundits believed the New York Knicks’ record was inflated, 61 wins and 41 wins were definitely two different levels of teams:

“This is how Lee plays: concise, efficient, and full of power!”

“Don’t question an MVP. I prefer to quietly enjoy Lee’s game!”

5-for-6 from the field, 3-for-3 from the free-throw line, 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.

All of Clay Lee’s points came from under the basket.

After the 2nd quarter began, after only a little over 2 minutes, Lee returned to the court with Reggie Miller.

Picking on the weak was what Lee did best.

Compared to Pau Gasol, the big man Wright, who came off the bench, had a better defensive effect tonight.

He absolutely wouldn’t give Jermaine O’Neal an easy chance to squeeze under the basket, pushing him to the near-rim area, about 3-10 feet, on every offensive possession.

The Pacers, who wanted to initiate their offense through their big man, quickly found that Jermaine O’Neal still hadn’t found his touch and continued to misfire.

By the middle of the second quarter, Jermaine O’Neal no longer actively demanded the ball, and Miller, the big man who tried to complete jump shots with his height advantage, was just as frustratingly cold.

From the left elbow area, Miller, the big man, received a bounce pass from Jamal Tinsley after completing a pick-and-roll.

Kurt Thomas quickly retreated on Defense, only symbolically raising his hand; the opponent’s jump shot clanked off the rim, and with a turn of his body, the rebound bounced right into his arms.

Pacers fans were silent, watching Lee slowly dribble the ball across half-court after receiving it, no longer booing.

Kurt Thomas, bursting with energy, immediately ran from near the left baseline to a spot far from the three-point line and stood still.

Jamal Tinsley was on the verge of collapsing.

He observed that his opponent had moved to Lee’s right, but he didn’t know how to defend.

Following his body’s instinct, Jamal Tinsley subconsciously shuffled forward.

As he moved, Lee immediately changed direction between his legs, switched to his right hand, and then swung the ball widely behind his back.

Lee didn’t drive to the right, instead deftly dodging the pouncing Defense.

Jermaine O’Neal was still crouching inside the three-point line.

Lee, scooping the ball with his left hand, immediately slowed down, then, still a small step from the three-point line, suddenly stopped short and faked a shot.

Jamal Tinsley, chasing from the side, immediately jumped to block.

Using the timing difference, Lee, with the opponent’s Defense hanging on him, smoothly shot the ball.

“Squeak!”

As the referee’s whistle blew, Jermaine O’Neal turned his head and saw the basketball drop into the hoop.

“God! Unbelievable! Lee made a shot from beyond the three-point line, and he even got an extra free throw!”

“Undefendable! What an incredible shooting touch!”

Bob Costas exclaimed, and Mike Dunleavy, noticing that Jamal Tinsley had started covering his face, couldn’t help but sigh along:

“For a Rookie, this game is too difficult. He’s matched up against one of the best backcourt players in the NBA.”

“Perhaps after this series, Jamal Tinsley will experience tremendous growth.”

As Lee stepped to the free-throw line, a chorus of “MVP” chants suddenly erupted in the Conseco Fieldhouse.

The fun-loving Pacers fans had suddenly switched allegiance.

49:29, the free throw was made, bringing the lead to 20 points, with 3 minutes and 39 seconds remaining in the first half.

When Coach Isiah Thomas called a timeout, the New York Knicks’ bench, full of energy, bounced and jumped onto the court to high-five and celebrate with Lee.

Coach Tom Thibodeau also completely relaxed, a hint of a proud smile appearing on his face.

In the final minutes of the first half, Conseco Fieldhouse gradually turned into a library.

This season’s championship dream was once again shattered by the New York Knicks.

At halftime, 56:36, the game seemed to have lost all suspense.

Grant Hill, draped in a towel, walked towards the player tunnel, feeling a sense of relief:

“This year’s playoffs are even easier than I imagined!”

No longer just lying through the first round, Grant Hill was also a bit overconfident.

Clay Lee noticed that Pacers fans were no longer booing him, and he happily responded:

“It seems we’ve conquered this Conseco Fieldhouse tonight!”

“…”

After scoring only 20 points in the third quarter, Pacers fans, though they didn’t leave, completely lost their cheering voices.

It wasn’t until the final quarter entered garbage time, and the defensive intensity dropped, that the main players dared to play aggressively, pushing their score past 80.

As the buzzer sounded, 107:83, with a dominant 3:0 series lead, the New York Knicks swept their opponent and easily advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

In 35 minutes of play, he shot 13-of-20 from the field, 3-of-5 from three-point range, and 7-of-7 from the free-throw line, finishing with 36 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 3 turnovers.

Clay Lee, who was formidable on fast breaks, also showcased another way of playing.

Reggie Miller ultimately scored only 21 points, shooting 7-of-19 from the field, 2-of-6 from three-point range, and 5-of-7 from the free-throw line.

After the game, the veteran calmly embraced each of the New York Knicks players one by one, then limped towards the player tunnel, not uttering a single word throughout the process.

In Conseco Fieldhouse, some young fans’ eyes reddened at the sight.

Reggie Miller, a one-team player, might find it very difficult to win a championship now.

At the commentary table, Mike Dunleavy watched the veteran’s lonely departure, feeling a pang of sorrow:

“The Eastern Conference, after experiencing Michael Jordan’s era, has now ushered in Lee.”

“History is always surprisingly similar, but for these veterans, such a situation is truly too cruel.”

“…”

With the Pacers eliminated, no one was teasing the veteran after the game.

At the press conference, most sports media were discussing gossip.

A Yahoo Sports reporter, noticing that the New York Media had been excessively boasting, seized the opportunity to ask:

“Lee, have you been following TNT’s programs recently? Head Coach Van Gundy called the New York Knicks a highlight-reel team. What are your thoughts on this?”

Tonight, Lee was wearing a black casual suit.

Many people had just been joking about his attire, so when the question suddenly changed, he was slightly taken aback.

Soon, a New York Post reporter quietly explained TNT’s recent big-mouthed behavior.

“Highlight-reel team, highlight-reel players?”

“Uh, this is also a good thing. I really like Sport Center, and I believe most players in the NBA want to appear on that show.”

“This should be a wonderful blessing. Achieving 100% shooting accuracy, like in a highlight reel, has always been my goal.”

Ron Artest, having rarely delivered such an efficient performance, didn’t like hearing such mocking words.

He then opened his big mouth and unleashed a torrent of words:

“Some players can only be seen in highlight reels. Their stats don’t stand up to scrutiny!”

“The strongest combination in the NBA in highlight reels, the strongest scorers in the NBA, they haven’t achieved anything, but the New York Knicks are a Champion Team!”

These words would certainly offend many players, but the sports reporters below the stage listened with smiles, knowing that with a bit of exaggeration and reporting, another fierce verbal battle could be ignited.

On April 27th, the New York Knicks returned to New York.

As the first team to reach the Semifinals, they naturally gained a lot of rest time.

It happened to be the weekend, so the coaching staff also took the opportunity to announce a holiday.

When Lee returned to his Manhattan home, he discovered that his talent panel had undergone some changes:

[Grant Hill’s Extraordinary Explosiveness] had unknowingly turned purple.

[Michael Jordan’s Extraordinary Coordination] had disappeared, having been completely assimilated.

The assimilation time for top-tier talents was shorter than expected, putting Lee in a great mood.

He decided to practice his ball-handling skills tonight.

Most of the regular season awards had already been announced.

On the morning of the 28th, the NBA announced the Rookie of the Year (COY) for the 2001-02 season:

The New York Knicks’ Pau Gasol successfully won the award!

He played in 80 games, averaging 17.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.5 steals, 2.0 blocks, and 2.8 turnovers per game.

He won Rookie of the Month three times, averaged 14.1 shot attempts per game, had a field goal percentage of 50.1%, averaged 4.0 free throws per game, and had a free throw percentage of 78.2%.

These statistics greatly satisfied New York fans, and the New York Media, as always, began to make bold predictions:

“The future top center in the NBA!”

Since the Eastern Conference Semifinals wouldn’t start until early May, and it was highly probable that Lee’s MVP award ceremony would also take place then, the New York Knicks held a separate press conference for Pau Gasol.

The “Highlight-reel Player” Pau Gasol ultimately won Rookie of the Year (COY), while the first overall pick, Kwame Brown, had already been largely forgotten.

On the evening of the 28th, with 2 seconds left in the game, Robert Horry received a pass from Kobe and hit a three-pointer.

Pippen made a turnover in the final moments, 92:91, the Lakers narrowly defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, sweeping their opponent to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.

Perhaps having seen the news in the newspapers, Kobe, when interviewed after the game, didn’t talk about the game itself but instead responded angrily:

“Stats don’t mean everything, and highlight reels can’t truly show my performance.”

“I don’t like some players’ comments. This year, the Lakers will win the o’brien cup!”

“…”

….

By the way, don’t forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me 🙂

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep